Rolex has long been associated with luxury, quality, craftsmanship and (of course) the price tag that usually accompanies those things…
…so I’ll be the first to admit that an article rounding up the cheapest Rolex watches for men is more than a little oxymoronic.
There’s certainly no such thing as a cheap Rolex (unless you’ve accidentally bought a knock off), but some models are less expensive than others.
If you’re on a budget, the bad news is that the range of Rolexes available to you definitely isn’t as wide as it would be if you had bottomless pockets.
But the good news is that it’s still possible to buy a Rolex on a budget, without refinancing your house or selling your car.
In this post I’ll round up some of the cheapest Rolex watches for men, and show you where and how to get your hands on an iconic, real and (relatively) affordable Rolex.
9 of the Cheapest Rolex Watches for Men
(And, again, “cheap” is a relative term when it comes to Rolexes)
Affordable Option 1: Buy an Entry-Level Rolex New
It’s definitely possible to buy an affordable Rolex brand new, but you’re going to be quite limited by the types of Rolexes that you can get.
Rolexes come in various series and collections, of which the Datejust collection is among the most affordable. Each of the watches below falls into that category, which is why there are only slight variations between them.
But what this batch lacks in diversity it makes up for in affordability and value:
The most expensive watch below clocks in (clock pun very much intended) at less than $8,000, whereas on the high end Rolexes can easily go for 15, 20 or even 30 thousand dollars.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date 34 Blue Dial
Price: $6,500
- Series: Oyster Perpetual
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Automatic
- Case Size: 34 mm
A stunner from Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual series, the Perpetual Date 34 has a smaller profile for men’s watches, which only adds to the sophistication provided by its classic style and timeless design.
With a show-stopping blue face watch face, in my opinion this is the best Rolex for the money, at least in terms of style.
Rolex Datejust 36 Automatic White Dial
Price: $7,195
- Series: Datejust
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Automatic
- Case Size: 36 mm
At 36 mm instead of 34, this next entry from the Rolex Datejust series is slightly larger than the Oyster Perpetual Rolex above, and has a more classic white dial with Roman numeral dial markers.
Rolex Datejust 36 Automatic White Dial
Price: $7,495
- Series: Datejust
- Stainless Steel Jubilee Bracelet
- Automatic
- Case Size: 36 mm
Another 36 mm entry from the Datejust series, this watch is similar to the one above, but features a different band style: on this one, the bracelet is made from Rolex’s stainless steel jubilee material.
Rolex Datejust 36 Automatic Silver Dial
Price: $7,595
- Series: Datejust
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Automatic
- Case Size: 36 mm
An alternate version of the two 36 mm Datejust watches above, this model features a silver face and luminescent silver-tone hands and dials, with automatic movement and a Rolex Calibre 3235 engine.
Affordable Option 2: Buy a Pre-Owned Rolex
Another way to buy a cheap Rolex is to pick up one that was previously owned. Buying a used Rolex is kind of like buying a used car:
There’s risk involved, but if you buy a good model from a reputable dealer, it ultimately leads to much better value.
The two pre-owned Rolexes below are sold by Jomashop, a New York-based retailer that specializes in selling new and pre-owned watches and jewellery.
They offer both a guarantee of authenticity on all products they sell and their own warranty, so it’s a smart place to shop for pre-owned, and thus much more affordable Rolex watches.
Rolex Oyster Precision Hand Wind Silver Dial
Price: $3,779.99
- Series: Oyster Precision
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Hand Wind
- Case Size: 34 mm
This 34 mm from Rolex’s Oyster Precision series is a hand-wound watch, meaning that it doesn’t run on battery power; instead, the wearer regularly winds the watch to power it.
Opting for a model that’s both pre-owned and hand-wound is a good way to keep the price down, which is one reason why this is the most affordable Rolex watch on this list.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Silver Dial 1500
Price: $4,706.99
- Series: Date
- Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Automatic
- Case Size: 34 mm
This is both a pre-owned and a vintage Rolex – it’s from 1969, but its timeless style looks just as sharp today as it would have been back then.
Fortunately, its quality has held up just as well: Jomashop certifies that it’s in mint condition, making it a great pice for anyone with an appreciation of history and timeless style.
FAQ
What is the cheapest Rolex?
If you’re buying new, the cheapest Rolex is the Oyster Perpetual Date 34, which features a stunning blue watch dial. If you’re buying used, the cheapest model will vary, but opting for something hand wound could help keep the price down.
How much is the cheapest Rolex?
As mentioned above, the Oyster Perpetual Date 34 goes for $6,500 on Jomashop, which is a better price then you’d get through Rolex’s website. But if you’re buying used, you can get one for much less; Jomashop offers multiple models for less than $5,000.
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More Men’s Watch Advice and Recos from Irreverent Gent:
- How to Wear a Pocket Watch
- How to Wear a NATO Strap Watch
- The 11 Best Men’s Smart Watches
- Timex Weekender Review
- The Best MVMT Men’s Watches
- The Most Stylish Watch Boxes for Men
Banner image based on a (very cool) shot from Kimiya Oveisi via Unsplash (Thanks Kimiya!)